Derek Jeter

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked New York Yankees #2 prospect in 1996
  Jeter didn’t electrify the baseball world in 1995 as he did in 1994, when he was named Baseball America’s Minor League Player of the Year. At 20, he was challenged with a full year at Triple-A and led Yankees minor leaguers in hitting. Jeter is a well-rounded talent. He has the best pure hitting skills in the organization, good strike-zone judgement, sound baserunning instincts and leadership qualities. His power will manifest itself in time. Jeter committed an International League-high 29 errors in 1995, but scouts have difficulty identifying any real flaws defensively. He needs subtle refinement in his footwork, but it’s not something a steady diet of ground balls and experience won't cure. New manager Joe Torre has declared Jeter his starting shortstop to start 1996. Tony Fernandez is the Yankees’ insurance.
• 
  Ranked New York Yankees #2 prospect in 1995
  Jeter busted out in 1994, earning Baseball America's Minor League Player of the Year award. Besides plus tools, Jeter understands the strike zone, runs the bases intelligently and has leadership skills. He has outstanding range and agile feet. Jeter decreased his errors from 56 to 25 this year, but then made 11 in 16 Arizona Fall League games before leaving with a tired shoulder, which isn't considered serious. He makes lazy throws on easy plays, something the Yankees believe he will grow out of with experience. Jeter might emerge as early as April, because Mike Gallego and possibly Randy Velarde will have left as free agents. But he might not be able to hold the job this early on a contender, much as the Blue Jays' Alex Gonzalez couldn't in 1994.
• 
  Ranked New York Yankees #1 prospect in 1994
  The Astros considered taking Jeter with the draft’s No. 1 pick in 1992 but went for Phil Nevin, leaving Jeter to the Yankees at No. 6. He was the only high school player taken in the top eight that year. Jeter struggles mightily his first pro summer in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, hitting .202-3-25 before making a decent cameo at low Class A Greensboro. Last year, a much more confident Jeter returned to the South Atlantic League and excelled. A quick bat and the ability to hit to all fields at such a young age make Jeter a legitimate .300 candidate in the big leagues. He has shown flashes of power and speed (11 triples in 1993), and projects to about 12 homers per year with 20 stolen bases, depending on where he bats in the order. Growing into his body could unleash even more power. Defensively, Jeter has the tools to be an above-average big league shortstop, but he can’t control them yet. Jeter’s 56 errors were third overall in the minors. Like Travis Fryman did, he has the actions, hands and instincts to make great plays but can’t make routine plays consistently. He needs thousands of grounders to refine those skills. After relying on pure arm strength in high school, Jeter tends to wait back on the ball too much instead of creating better hops by charging. Shortening his arm action will prevent a high number of wild throws, and Jeter’s pride in his defense will spur him to improve quickly. He made just one error in instructional league.  Challenging Jeter with a start at Double-A Albany in 1994 seems unnecessary. He’ll report to high Class A Tampa, and possibly move up at midseason. Barring injury, a major league callup in September 1995 would be in line. 
• 
  Ranked New York Yankees #2 prospect in 1993
  Jeter received a $700,000 bonus from the Yankees last June, then immediately struggled in all aspects of his game in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League. He hit .202, was erratic in the field and only occasionally displayed his alleged five-tool ability. The Yankees aren’t concerned with Jeter’s slow start. They say he has no glaring weaknesses. They also feel he’s capable of following the same career path as Braves shortstop-in-waiting Chipper Jones, who struggled in his GCL debut yet now ranks as the game’s best everyday prospect. Jones was the first high school player drafted in 1990, Jeter the first in 1992. Jeter spent the final two weeks of the 1992 season at low Class A Greensboro, and will return there in 1993.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked International League #3 prospect in 1995
  Baseball America’s 1994 Minor League Player of the Year still draws raves from managers about his overall tools and all-star ability. But has one of those almost imperceptible starburst cracks appeared in Jeter’s windshield? Managers liked the way Jeter made adjustments at the plate for Columbus. They were divided, however, on whether he can play shortstop in the majors. While Jeter is agile and athletic, some managers and coaches aren’t convinced he can make the play from the hole. That may force a move to third base, a position that traditionally requires more power than Jeter has displayed. "I like his approach as a hitter,” one manager said. “He hits the ball up the middle and to right field. As a young hitter, that’s very important. “Personally, I don’t think he’ll be a major league shortstop. I don’t like his actions at short. He’ll play either second base or third base.”
• 
  Ranked Eastern League #3 prospect in 1994
  Jeter’s 33-game stay in Albany was the shortest of the league's top prospects. His impact was among the greatest. He hit .376-2-13 with a .448 on-base percentage before his promotion to Triple-A Columbus. Compliments were lofty for Jeter, who has drawn comparisons to younger versions of Robin Yount, Julio Franco and Royce Clayton. "This kid is a couple of years ahead of Clayton,” said Albany manager Bill Evers, who previously managed Clayton in the Giants organization. “I’ve seen the maturation process from last year and this year. He has a lot more confidence in himself in the field. He’s a lot more fluid.” Offensively, Jeter uses the entire field, especially when he falls behind in the count.
• 
  Ranked Florida State League #1 prospect in 1994
  Jeter, Baseball America’s 1994 Minor League Player of the Year, has the complete package. He spent a half-season with Tampa and led the Florida State League in hitting before moving on to Double-A Albany and Triple-A Columbus. The FSL MVP could be the Yankees’ shortstop next season. Jeter has basestealing speed and pop in his bat. Some say his defense is at least as good as Cal Ripken Jr.'s was at the same age (20). “He does it all,” one FSL manager said. “If he has a weakness, I didn’t see it.” Another skipper, after referring to a couple of other prospects as future all-stars, called Jeter a future superstar. 
• 
  Ranked South Atlantic League #2 prospect in 1993
  He’s not Chipper Jones, but Jeter did nothing to discourage supporters. The first high school player drafted in 1992 made a run at the South Atlantic League batting title before finishing 11th. He also showed flashes of power and speed with Greensboro. Jeter was spectacular at times on defense, and managers voted his the league’s best infield arm in a midseason survey. Consistency is his main need after he made 57 errors. “Eventually he’s going to hit for power to go with average,” Hagerstown manager Jim Nettles said. “He can run. Obviously, they worked with him a lot on defense because he was much better in the second half.”

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #6 prospect in 1996
• Ranked Baseball America's #4 prospect in 1995
• Ranked Baseball America's #16 prospect in 1994
• Ranked Baseball America's #44 prospect in 1993

• December, 1995 Scouting Report
  Jeter didn’t electrify the baseball world in 1995 as he did in 1994, when he was named Baseball America’s Minor League Player of the Year. At 20, he was challenged with a full year at Triple-A and led Yankees minor leaguers in hitting. Jeter is a well-rounded talent. He has the best pure hitting skills in the organization, good strike-zone judgement, sound baserunning instincts and leadership qualities. His power will manifest itself in time. Jeter committed an International League-high 29 errors in 1995, but scouts have difficulty identifying any real flaws defensively. He needs subtle refinement in his footwork, but it’s not something a steady diet of ground balls and experience won't cure. New manager Joe Torre has declared Jeter his starting shortstop to start 1996. Tony Fernandez is the Yankees’ insurance.
• December, 1994 Scouting Report
  Jeter busted out in 1994, earning Baseball America's Minor League Player of the Year award. Besides plus tools, Jeter understands the strike zone, runs the bases intelligently and has leadership skills. He has outstanding range and agile feet. Jeter decreased his errors from 56 to 25 this year, but then made 11 in 16 Arizona Fall League games before leaving with a tired shoulder, which isn't considered serious. He makes lazy throws on easy plays, something the Yankees believe he will grow out of with experience. Jeter might emerge as early as April, because Mike Gallego and possibly Randy Velarde will have left as free agents. But he might not be able to hold the job this early on a contender, much as the Blue Jays' Alex Gonzalez couldn't in 1994.
• December, 1994 Scouting Report
  Baseball America’s 1994 Minor League Player of the Year still draws raves from managers about his overall tools and all-star ability. But has one of those almost imperceptible starburst cracks appeared in Jeter’s windshield? Managers liked the way Jeter made adjustments at the plate for Columbus. They were divided, however, on whether he can play shortstop in the majors. While Jeter is agile and athletic, some managers and coaches aren’t convinced he can make the play from the hole. That may force a move to third base, a position that traditionally requires more power than Jeter has displayed. "I like his approach as a hitter,” one manager said. “He hits the ball up the middle and to right field. As a young hitter, that’s very important. “Personally, I don’t think he’ll be a major league shortstop. I don’t like his actions at short. He’ll play either second base or third base.”
• December, 1993 Scouting Report
  The Astros considered taking Jeter with the draft’s No. 1 pick in 1992 but went for Phil Nevin, leaving Jeter to the Yankees at No. 6. He was the only high school player taken in the top eight that year. Jeter struggles mightily his first pro summer in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, hitting .202-3-25 before making a decent cameo at low Class A Greensboro. Last year, a much more confident Jeter returned to the South Atlantic League and excelled. A quick bat and the ability to hit to all fields at such a young age make Jeter a legitimate .300 candidate in the big leagues. He has shown flashes of power and speed (11 triples in 1993), and projects to about 12 homers per year with 20 stolen bases, depending on where he bats in the order. Growing into his body could unleash even more power. Defensively, Jeter has the tools to be an above-average big league shortstop, but he can’t control them yet. Jeter’s 56 errors were third overall in the minors. Like Travis Fryman did, he has the actions, hands and instincts to make great plays but can’t make routine plays consistently. He needs thousands of grounders to refine those skills. After relying on pure arm strength in high school, Jeter tends to wait back on the ball too much instead of creating better hops by charging. Shortening his arm action will prevent a high number of wild throws, and Jeter’s pride in his defense will spur him to improve quickly. He made just one error in instructional league.  Challenging Jeter with a start at Double-A Albany in 1994 seems unnecessary. He’ll report to high Class A Tampa, and possibly move up at midseason. Barring injury, a major league callup in September 1995 would be in line. 
• December, 1993 Scouting Report
  Jeter, Baseball America’s 1994 Minor League Player of the Year, has the complete package. He spent a half-season with Tampa and led the Florida State League in hitting before moving on to Double-A Albany and Triple-A Columbus. The FSL MVP could be the Yankees’ shortstop next season. Jeter has basestealing speed and pop in his bat. Some say his defense is at least as good as Cal Ripken Jr.'s was at the same age (20). “He does it all,” one FSL manager said. “If he has a weakness, I didn’t see it.” Another skipper, after referring to a couple of other prospects as future all-stars, called Jeter a future superstar. 
• December, 1993 Scouting Report
  Jeter’s 33-game stay in Albany was the shortest of the league's top prospects. His impact was among the greatest. He hit .376-2-13 with a .448 on-base percentage before his promotion to Triple-A Columbus. Compliments were lofty for Jeter, who has drawn comparisons to younger versions of Robin Yount, Julio Franco and Royce Clayton. "This kid is a couple of years ahead of Clayton,” said Albany manager Bill Evers, who previously managed Clayton in the Giants organization. “I’ve seen the maturation process from last year and this year. He has a lot more confidence in himself in the field. He’s a lot more fluid.” Offensively, Jeter uses the entire field, especially when he falls behind in the count.
• December, 1992 Scouting Report
  Jeter received a $700,000 bonus from the Yankees last June, then immediately struggled in all aspects of his game in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League. He hit .202, was erratic in the field and only occasionally displayed his alleged five-tool ability. The Yankees aren’t concerned with Jeter’s slow start. They say he has no glaring weaknesses. They also feel he’s capable of following the same career path as Braves shortstop-in-waiting Chipper Jones, who struggled in his GCL debut yet now ranks as the game’s best everyday prospect. Jones was the first high school player drafted in 1990, Jeter the first in 1992. Jeter spent the final two weeks of the 1992 season at low Class A Greensboro, and will return there in 1993.
• December, 1992 Scouting Report
  He’s not Chipper Jones, but Jeter did nothing to discourage supporters. The first high school player drafted in 1992 made a run at the South Atlantic League batting title before finishing 11th. He also showed flashes of power and speed with Greensboro. Jeter was spectacular at times on defense, and managers voted his the league’s best infield arm in a midseason survey. Consistency is his main need after he made 57 errors. “Eventually he’s going to hit for power to go with average,” Hagerstown manager Jim Nettles said. “He can run. Obviously, they worked with him a lot on defense because he was much better in the second half.”